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Wayspots on Holocaust Museums and Other Related Locations
NorthSeaPoet-ING
Posts: 895 ✭✭✭✭✭
I was wondering, following a discussion in a UK wayfarer group, what the eligibility of wayspots on the grounds of Holocaust Museums would be?
On the one hand, as there are Holocaust survivors, it could be seen as people being disrespectful playing games in such a location, and could be seen as taking away from the seriousness of what the museum is about.
On the other hand, it could be argued that wayspots in such a location would teach people more about the Holocaust, and why the museums and such were started, as well as drawing attention to the museum itself which could potentially lead to more people visiting.
Answers
From a Niantic-wayspot-database point of view, it's a culturally interesting space, as are most other museums.
If the management at a particular site takes issue with extra attention drawn by way of AR gamers discovering them by way of these games, Niantic will remove wayspots upon request from property owners.
Like with many Wayspots, it’s all dependant on how the community use them.
Especially in Pokémon where medium to large groups can move in flocks, huddle at an area for 5 or so minutes, and move on - when raiding.
A Wayspot at something for so culturally and historically important, is harmless, as again it’s down to the players to be respectful.
I think these wayspots should be allowed, as they represent very significant points of interest and educate, but if people are being irresponsible, then the owners are perfectly within their rights to request removal, but I don’t think Niantic should, by default.
This reminds me of a Cracked.com article where they mentioned a Holocaust Memorial in Berlin was being used by tons of people for their Grindr background ("6 Famous Places That A-Holes Have Made Intolerable To Visit")
Niantic has already stated in the past that they cannot be held accountable for the bad behavior of individuals or small player groups. They ask everyone to behave properly, but we all know how that turns out. They have also asked not to nominate general cemeteries, which is also a potential location where players amass without respecting others.
That being said, Niantic's core view on Wayspots is to guide people to interesting locations and promote culture, history, community etc.
Museums are ideal places for this and remind people of how bad things can get, especially now that the ideologies from that period are becoming popular again.